glycogen and Urinary-Incontinence--Stress

The glycogenolysis markers (glycogen content, active and total glycogen phosphorylase [EC 2.4.1.1.] activities, and active and total acid exo-alpha-1,4-glucosidase [EC 3.2.1.3.] activities) in the urinary bladder muscle from two patients with stress urinary incontinence and concomitant detrusor instability were studied. Glycogen depletion and activation of glycogen phosphorylase were found.

Topics: Female; Glucan 1,4-alpha-Glucosidase; Glycogen; Humans; Phosphorylases; Urinary Bladder; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic; Urinary Incontinence, Stress

The aim of the study was the investigation of the biochemical condition of elements likely to directly participate in active closing of the urethral lumen. We estimated glycogenolysis in urinary bladder, perivesical connective tissue and levator ani muscle (LAM) samples obtained intraoperatively from 80 stress incontinent women. Glycogen content as well as activities of active and total glycogen phosphorylase and acid exo-1,4-alpha-glucosidase were measured. Material from the urinary bladder and perivesical connective tissue was insignificantly altered, and glycogen contents in the bladder (2.03 +/- 1.38 g/100 g wet tissue) were considered to be normal. In the LAM glycogenolysis was much more activated than in other tissues (p < 0.001 by Fischer's exact test). Of LAM specimens 78% (22/28) revealed imbalanced biochemistry of glycogen with activation of hydrolytic decomposition. We conclude that stress urinary incontinence in women is frequently associated with metabolic alterations in the periurethral striated fibres. This study indirectly supports our recent hypothesis on the pathogenesis of the disease in terms of muscle fibre type transitions.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Glycogen; Humans; Middle Aged; Muscle Contraction; Muscle, Smooth; Phosphorylases; Urinary Bladder; Urinary Incontinence, Stress; Urinary Tract